Celebrating Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and Tribal Welfare Initiatives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the commencement of the 150th Birth Anniversary Year of Bhagwan Birsa Munda on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. In a grand event at Jamui, Bihar, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over 6,640 crore, aimed at uplifting tribal communities across India.

Key Highlights of the Event

1. Commemoration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Birth Anniversary Celebration:

The 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda was inaugurated, recognizing his contributions to tribal welfare and India’s independence.

Honors: A commemorative coin and postal stamp were released in his honor.

2. Development Initiatives

a. Infrastructure Projects: 11,000 pucca houses handed over to tribal families under PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan). Foundation stone laid for 500 km of roads to enhance connectivity in tribal areas.

b. Education: Inauguration of 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), worth 450 crore, dedicated to tribal children. Additional 25 EMRS planned with a budget of 1,110 crore.

c. Healthcare: Launch of 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) under PM-JANMAN and 30 more under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA). Focus on sickle cell anemia elimination with 6 Centers of Competency inaugurated.

d. Livelihood Generation: 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) launched to promote tribal entrepreneurship and support livelihoods.

3. Cultural Preservation

Two Tribal Freedom Fighters Museums inaugurated in Chhindwara and Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh).
Tribal Research Institutes established in Srinagar (J&K) and Gangtok (Sikkim) to preserve tribal history and heritage.

Government’s Approach to Tribal Development

1. PM-JANMAN Yojana: Launched with a budget of 24,000 crore for the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Focus on housing, connectivity, and basic amenities like drinking water under the Har Ghar Jal scheme.

2. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA): Benefits extended to over 60,000 tribal villages. Focus on eco-tourism, tribal marketing centers, and youth training.

3. Budgetary Support: Tribal Affairs Ministry’s allocation increased fivefold from 25,000 crore to 1.25 lakh crore in the past decade.

4. Educational and Skill Development: Establishment of 30 new medical colleges in tribal regions. Expansion of Eklavya Schools to a robust network of 7,000 institutions.

Tribals’ Contribution to India’s Independence and Heritage

1. Acknowledgement of Tribal Freedom Fighters: Leaders like Birsa Munda, Tilka Manjhi, Sidhu-Kanhu, and many others played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence. Movements like the Santhal Rebellion, Ulgulan Movement, and Bhil Revolt were highlighted.

2. Preservation Efforts: Tribal heritage being promoted through museums and research centers. Focus on reviving traditional medicine systems, with initiatives like the Global Center for Traditional Medicine in collaboration with WHO.